Toronto Maple Leafs: Goals, Assists, and Penalties
By John
Hockey has a lot of stats, many of them overlooked, some of them overused, so I thought I would find new ways to use them. I have accumulated a list of random thoughts and tagged them with either a Goal, an Assist, or a Penalty. A Goal is something positive. An Assist is generally positive but may leave something to be desired. And a Penalty is something I deem negative.
Goal: Soshnikov and Hyman. These guys have been nothing but fun to watch. Their grit and commitment to going hard to the net and finishing their checks is something any hockey player, at any level, can learn from. These guys are Babcock-hockey guys and you should expect them to be around for a long time.
Assist: Nylander. I tuned into the first few games of his NHL career just to watch him. Unfortunately I ended up finishing each game watching Sosh and Hyman. There is no doubt Nylander has immense talent, just watch him control the puck on the side boards, but he is missing a little grit. I’d like to see him use his body a little more and be noticeable without the puck, not just with the puck.
10 Minute Game Misconduct Penalty: Drouin holding out to get traded. This is a Leaf website so I won’t go on forever about this, but I think he should pay his dues however the team thinks he should. He is a lucky guy to be playing hockey for a living and he shouldn’t start squandering it away. He hasn’t earned the right to quit, yet. I am glad his hold-out is over.
Assist: Leafs injuries. I would never hope anybody gets injured, but with Lupul, JVR, PA, Bozak, Hunwick all being injured recently, it has left room for the youngsters to get a real chance to learn and showcase themselves to the coaching staff. If the majority of our top players were not injured, the likes of Soshnikov and Hyman might be playing third and fourth line minutes and we probably wouldn’t be seeing their real potential and their true weaknesses. Silver lining to injuries.
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Goal: Gardiner. While he still lets too many players get between him and the net, his play has flourishing recently. He is taking control and driving possession like never before and his confidence is obviously growing. For the first time, in my opinion, he is starting to push himself into the untouchable category. While there were times I thought other teams would give up more for him that I thought he was worth to the Leafs, I am no longer sure that is the case.
Goal (under review): Morgan Reilly playing over 31 minutes and Martin Marincin playing over 29 minutes vs Detroit in a non-overtime game. Should I be happy Reilly can handle those type of minutes? Should I be terrified Marincin had to play almost half of an entire game? Should I be impressed he actually looked good? So confused. UNDER REVIEW.
Goal: There is no cheesy tag line for the race for last place this year like a “suck for Luck”, or “Taylor or Tyler”.
Assist: Lamoriello suggesting Marner has a lot of work to do to make the NHL opening day. He said he was not ready today to be an NHLer and I think he is right. But another year in the OHL may just help solidify his tenancies to float or cheat instead of being pushed to play defense as he would if he made the Leafs. It’s going to be a tough call.
Assist: Bozak is now skating after missing a month for concussion symptoms. Apparently he is ready to play.
Double Major: Malkin getting injured. He is out 6-8 weeks and this is not good news for Leafs fans. We need Pitt to make the playoffs this year so we can have their first rounder this June from the Kessel deal.
Goal: “Go Leafs Go” chant to start the game vs. Ottawa in OTTAWA!
Penalty: I miss Darcy Tucker.
Assist: Seeing Phaneuf in an Senators Jersey. I was never a fan of the game of Pylon Dion and I am thrilled we were able to escape from that Nonis of a contract (yes, I just made Nonis a verb). But he is a very good guy and for a second I missed him when I saw him get emotional in his tribute at the ACC. Then I sobered up, threw some ice on my “feelings” and moved on.
Penalty: Anyone that buys a white away jersey.
Goal: Connor Carrick. This kid is more proof that Mark Hunter may be the most important piece to the Leafs rebuild.
Assist: Bernier getting a shutout vs. Detroit. Is he our netminding version of Kadri? Great game. Terrible game. Lucky. Unlucky. Starting goaltender. AHL goaltender. Always leaving you wanting more than he gives because his potential is so good. Ugh.
Goal: Martin Marincin may actually be good. Like really good. Nothing seems to happen when he is on the ice. He drives possession, doesn’t get beat, and seems to break up passes constantly.
Goal: Connor Brown getting his NHL debut Thursday night. I love this kid. Drafted at 125lbs into the OHL and 145lbs into the NHL. This might become the best draft pick in the Burke era (not that that was too hard) when they picked him in the 6th round.